Best St. Petersburg Group Podcasts (2025)

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A nationwide vigilante network. How police backing and holy blessings helped Russkaya Obshchina become Russia’s largest far-right group

16h ago

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Emboldened by support from senior law enforcement officials and a political climate more hospitable to xenophobic violence, far-right activists from “Russkaya Obshchina” (Russian Community) are increasingly involved in attacks, vigilante raids, and coordinated harassment. They typically target migrants from nations to the south or even compatriots …

1
Mobile network provider terminates service for Russian advocacy group Nasiliu.Net, crashing emergency helpline for domestic violence victims

20h ago

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The Russian advocacy group Nasiliu.Net (No to Violence) reported on May 30 that its mobile network operator suddenly terminated its service, crashing an emergency helpline available to domestic violence victims. “Previously, the service did not warn us about problems related to our ‘foreign agent’ status, which we have been forced to have since 202…

1
Russian teen who quoted Ukrainian poet in criminal trial closing statement faces new prosecution

21h ago

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On April 18, a Russian court sentenced 19-year-old activist Darya Kozyreva to two years and eight months in prison for repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian army. This week, a St. Petersburg court registered a new case against Kozyreva based on her closing statement at her previous trial. In that statement, she quoted a poem in Ukrainian by Taras S…

1
Russia’s U.N. representative says halting Western weapons supplies and ending Ukraine’s draft are necessary for any ceasefire deal

22h ago

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As Ukrainian officials wait for a promised memorandum on Russia’s vision for a peace treaty, Russia's permanent representative to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, told the U.N. Security Council on May 30 that Moscow’s “minimum” terms for a ceasefire deal are that “Western countries cease supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime” and that Ukraine end its mili…

1
Ukrainian intelligence behind explosions at Russian naval base in Vladivostok, media report

23h ago

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Explosions in the Russian city of Vladivostok on Friday morning were the result of a “successful operation” by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, according to RBC-Ukraine, UNIAN, and Hromadske, all of which cited informed sources. The sources said two blasts occurred in Desantnaya Bay, near the base of the 47th Separate Air Assault Battalion, …

1
Ukraine says it’s ready for another round of talks — but it’s still waiting for the ceasefire memo Russia promised

24h ago

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Russia’s delegation addresses the media following talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16. On May 19, three days after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for their first direct talks in over three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call. Afterwards, Putin announced that Moscow was “r…

1
Mercenaries, missionaries, and mining. As local leaders decry Western neocolonialism, Russia is carving out its own sphere of influence in Africa

24h ago

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Demonstrators in the Democratic Republic of the Congo protest a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023, using Russian flags and portraits of Vladimir Putin as protest symbols Moscow’s foreign policy has zeroed in on Africa in recent years. The shift is partially due to commercial interests, including access to resources like gold, uraniu…

1
U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg says Russia’s concerns about potential NATO expansion are ‘fair’

1d ago

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The United States considers Russia’s concerns about NATO’s potential eastward expansion to be “fair,” U.S. presidential envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with ABC News on Thursday. “It’s a fair concern. We’ve said that repeatedly. We’ve said that, to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table,” Kellogg said. According to him, at least …

1
Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks injure civilians in multiple Ukrainian regions

1d ago

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Russian forces carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Thursday night, according to local authorities and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. In Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi district, a Russian strike sparked a fire at a municipal transport agency. One company building and a trolleybus caught fire, and 38 vehicles b…

1
Old money, new problems. Sanctions leave Russian banks and customers stuck with older U.S. currency that’s increasingly difficult to exchange at home and abroad

1d ago

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Sanctions have significantly hindered the flow of fresh foreign currency into Russian banks, leaving both the institutions and their customers with a surplus of “old-series” dollars issued before 2009. Many foreign exchange offices reject these bills or agree to exchange them only at unfavorable rates. Even domestically, Russians are increasingly e…

1
Following outcry from Moscow, Serbia’s president vows to halt weapons contracts if arms are bound for Ukraine

1d ago

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has responded to accusations from Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service that Serbian defense enterprises continue to supply ammunition to Ukraine, calling some of the allegations false. In recent remarks cited by the local media, Vučić said he’s discussed the matter with Vladimir Putin privately and in the presenc…

1
A veteran’s violent end. Officer who led Russia’s Mariupol air assault, then became Stavropol’s deputy mayor, dies in suspicious blast

2d ago

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Zaur Gurtsiev The first deputy mayor of Stavropol was killed in an explosion on Wednesday night. Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, joined his hometown’s city government after participating in the Kremlin’s “Time of Heroes” program, which the Putin administration launched to promote war veterans to public office. In 2019, Gurtsiev headed the combat command center …

1
‘We could not influence the list’. In Russia and Ukraine’s biggest prisoner swap of the war, Moscow returned a defector and prisoners already slated for deportation

2d ago

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The first day of the prisoner exchange. May 23, 2025. Late last week, Russia and Ukraine carried out their largest prisoner exchange since the start of the full-scale war, with each side handing over 1,000 people. Moscow and Kyiv agreed to the swap during peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 — negotiations that otherwise failed to produce any results.…

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China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine while increasing component shipments to Russia — Bloomberg

2d ago

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China has halted drone sales to Ukraine and other European countries but continues to supply Russia, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other informed sources. “Chinese Mavic is open for Russians but is closed for Ukrainians. There are production lines on Russian territory where there a…

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Russia accuses Serbia of supplying weapons to Ukraine, 'profiting from the blood of their fellow Slavs'

2d ago

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Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Thursday that Serbian defense companies continue to supply ammunition to Kyiv “in defiance of Belgrade’s officially declared ‘neutrality.’” In a press release titled “Serbian arms industry tries to stab Russia in the back,” the SVR alleged that Serbian contributions to what it calls “the war waged…

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Merz says he hasn't ruled out Germany supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine

2d ago

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that he has not ruled out the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. “Of course it’s within the realm of possibility,” Merz told the German broadcaster ZDF. At the same time, he noted that training Ukrainian soldiers to operate the missiles would take several months. …

1
No take-backsies. As Putin vows support for Russian McDonald’s replacement, lawmakers move to strip foreign investors of their buyback rights

2d ago

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What happened? At a meeting with business leaders on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised the management of Vkusno i tochka (the fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s restaurants in Russia) that he would support the company if McDonald’s ever tried to return to the Russian market. Putin noted that while the “not entirely scrupulous …

1
‘There’s no such thing as safety’. In Russia, journalists must either adapt to censorship or risk their freedom. So why do they keep reporting?

2d ago

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In April 2025, Kommersant journalist Alexander Chernykh declined the most prestigious independent prize recognizing Russian journalism, Redkollegia. He’d won the award for a report from Russia’s Kursk region, which had recently spent more than seven months under partial Ukrainian occupation. In a statement explaining his decision, Chernykh — who re…

1
Russian war veteran killed in Stavropol explosion; governor cites possible ‘Ukrainian terrorist attack’

2d ago

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A veteran of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Zaur Gurtsiev, was killed in an explosion in Stavropol, Russia. After returning from the front, Gurtsiev joined the “Time of Heroes” program — a Kremlin initiative aimed at placing war veterans in government roles — and was serving as the city’s first deputy mayor. His death was announced by Stavropol Krai Gove…

1
St. Petersburg proposes ban on foreign nationals working as couriers and taxi drivers

2d ago

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Authorities in St. Petersburg, Russia, have proposed banning foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers and couriers through the end of the year, according to a draft order by Governor Alexander Beglov published on the city’s official website. The proposal calls for “a ban in 2025 on the employment of foreign nationals” by businesses operating …

1
Three far-right activists arrested for kidnapping and torturing teenager in Russian forest

3d ago

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Police in the Russian city of Kovrov (roughly 175 miles northeast of Moscow) have arrested three members of a far-right organization on charges of aggravated kidnapping. The suspects are reportedly local men in their late twenties and early thirties who belong to the group “Russkaya Obshchina” (Russian Community). Two of the three men have already …

1
Former Russian university president sentenced to 22 years for 1999 murder plot

3d ago

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A court in Moscow has sentenced former Kazan Federal University president Ilshat Gafurov to 22 years in prison for inciting and orchestrating the 1999 murder of Aidar Israfilov, who was killed amid a dispute over municipal revenue from market fees. At the time, Gafurov was head of the Yelabuga district in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, while Israf…

1
Behind closed blast doors. Danish and German journalists uncover detailed blueprints offering an unprecedented look inside Russia’s nuclear weapons silos

3d ago

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Russia is conducting a large-scale modernization of the underground silos that store its missiles with strategic nuclear warheads, journalists from the Danish investigative project Danwatch and the German publication Der Spiegel have discovered. The investigation, presented on May 28, states that Danwatch journalists obtained more than two million …

1
‘Emotions are running high’. Putin has yet to respond to Trump calling him ‘crazy,’ but Kremlin officials have plenty to say

3d ago

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Amid massive Russian strikes on Ukraine and stalled peace negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump has begun to sharply criticize Vladimir Putin, calling the Russian leader “CRAZY,” accusing him of “needlessly killing a lot of people,” and warning that he is “playing with fire.” Putin has yet to respond publicly, but Russian officials have called …

1
Russian teen fatally stabs four friends at birthday party in small Siberian town, then dies in fire

3d ago

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Late last night in a small town in Russia’s Irkutsk region, a 17-year-old attacked his acquaintances with a knife, killing four teenagers and injuring four others before reportedly setting fire to the dacha where they had gathered to celebrate a birthday. The attacker died in the blaze, authorities said. According to reports, earlier in the evening…

1
Zelensky calls for three-way talks with Putin and Trump

3d ago

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, AFP reported on Wednesday. “If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don’t mind. I am ready for any format,” Zelensky told reporters on Tue…

1
Trump losing patience with Putin but has yet to decide on sanctions — Politico

3d ago

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U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that he is losing patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no decision has yet been made about next steps, Politico reported, citing several U.S. officials. “Putin is getting dangerously close to burning the golden bridge that Trump has set out before him,” one official told the outlet. Still, …

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Russia says it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and other cities overnight

3d ago

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The Ukrainian military targeted multiple Russian regions, including the Moscow region, in a major drone attack on Tuesday night, according to local officials. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian air defenses intercepted 33 drones approaching the capital. One drone struck the Elma technopark in the suburb of Zelenograd, where eyewitness footag…

1
Russia is moving to connect Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to its own power grid — NYT

3d ago

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Russia is building power lines in occupied parts of Ukraine, apparently in an effort to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to its own power grid, The New York Times reported, citing a new report by Greenpeace. Satellite images included in the report show the construction of new transmission lines. Starting in early February, Russia has be…

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Former Moscow State University professor dies by suicide after losing life savings to scammers

4d ago

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A former Moscow State University professor died by suicide on May 27 after scammers stole his life savings. Seventy-eight-year-old Boris Boyarintsev reportedly sold two apartments to raise more than 50 million rubles ($623,000), which he then transferred to the scammers. According to Telegram channel Baza, his body was found with a copy of a crimin…

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Ep. 107: Fred Forsley - Sea Dog Brewery & more 40:17

5d ago40:17

40:17

Fred Forsley’s entrepreneurial reach is as wide as it is unexpected—real estate broker at 18, founder of Shipyard and Sea Dog Brewing, maker of alt-THC beverages, vodka, rums, and even a mushroom energy drink. In this episode of SPX, Forsley shares his journey from hustling real estate in Maine to building a beverage empire that spans coastlines an…

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Ep.106: Carl Lavender - Philanthropy Leader 1:00:12

28d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Join Joe Hamilton in a candid conversation with community leader Carl Lavender as he reflects on his life’s journey—from his roots as a pastor’s son in Cleveland, to navigating gang violence and fundraising in Chicago, and finally becoming a transformative force in St. Pete’s nonprofit sector. Carl shares personal insights on leadership, balancing …

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Ep. 105: Kelly McBride - Poynter Institute, NPR 55:30

1M ago55:30

55:30

In this episode, Joe Hamilton sits down with Kelly McBride—Senior VP at the Poynter Institute, NPR Public Editor, and Chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership—for a wide-ranging conversation on news diets, media trust, AI’s role in journalism and the fading sense of local connection. From dopamine-driven doomscrolling to the pote…

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We Sue Insurance Companies… But That Luigi Mangione Is Full of Crap. 26:23

5M ago26:23

26:23

There’s no love lost between Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe and insurance adjusters. But they have harsh words for Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, and Mangione’s supporters. Matt and Stan devote this episode to examining the polarizing case and explaining why they can critique the industry as lawyers and condemn the killing …

1
Cracking the Code to Social Media from the “Chiropractor to the Stars” 28:41

5M ago28:41

28:41

You’re a personal injury lawyer who wants a robust social media presence. Picture this: You post a clip of a horse kicking someone against the wall… then, the image turns to you flying against the wall. “But then, you could talk about car accidents, or you could talk about any kind of law….You drew them in, and now you can talk about whatever you w…

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Ep. 104: Eric Deggans - National Public Radio (NPR) 1:07:56

6M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

In this episode, Eric Deggans, NPR’s TV critic and media analyst, delves into the complexities of modern media. The conversation explores the fractured media landscape, the rise of niche platforms and the responsibilities of media creators and consumers in combating misinformation. Joe and Eric discuss the evolution of local news, the role of algor…

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Next Step in the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit: Vetting the Plaintiffs 16:26

6M ago16:26

16:26

In this update on the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit, Stan Gipe describes a “big step” – a step that may not seem big to plaintiffs, but is significant to the team that’s driving a mass tort against Suboxone’s manufacturer. That step is a census so that the team – operating as a firm called Dolman Russo – vets each person it represents. The census as…

1
Does Depo-Provera Cause Brain Tumors? Litigation Is Possible but No Slam Dunk 17:37

6M ago17:37

17:37

A study published in March links the birth control Depo-Provera to a form of brain tumor. But whether the study means that women who took Depo-Provera could successfully sue is unclear. Hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe lay out both sides of the issue, including the opportunities and challenges of potential multi-district litigation. “We’re gathering…

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Ep. 103: Stan LIberatore - No Limit Technology 36:04

8M ago36:04

36:04

Stan Liberatore, founder of No Limit Technology, discusses his journey from a corporate background in software development and recruitment to entrepreneurship and founding his own company. He shares the early struggles of No Limit, including financial instability and the importance of relationships. We also learn about the rise of Save the Kids, a …

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The Emerging Legal Landscape around Intimate Photos and the Internet 26:30

8M ago26:30

26:30

Back in the pre-digital days, you’d bring film into a drugstore to be developed. If the film contained nude photos, the only person you had to worry about was “that creepy guy behind the counter.” “That was when we were talking about paper photos. They can actually get that photo back. It's done, right? Different day now,” Stan Gipe explains in thi…

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CrowdStrike: How Fallout from the World’s Largest IT Outage Continues 31:32

10M ago31:32

31:32

For one hour on July 19, 2024, cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike issued a faulty update that affected millions of people and shut down large airlines. To date, the outage has caused over $5 billion in damages. Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe of Dolman Law Group are joined by Daniel Herrera, CEO and co-founder of Evolv I.T., a managed IT services provider, …

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Suboxone Lawsuit: Passing the Statute of Limitations, Mining Marketing Documents 18:48

10M ago18:48

18:48

The lawsuit against the manufacturer of Suboxone, a medication prescribed to help opioid addicts get clean but which causes tooth decay, continues on several fronts. In this update, David v. Goliath hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe outline two recent developments for clients and potential clients. First, they are now bringing cases in states that ha…

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Ep. 102: John Graydon Smith - MOSI 45:05

10M ago45:05

45:05

In this episode, Joe welcomes John Graydon Smith, the President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. John shares his fascinating journey as a turn around specialist in the museum world. They discuss the evolution of MOSI, its current challenges, and the innovative strategies being implemented to ensure its future success. …

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Ep. 101: Lisa Speer Vickers - Realty ONE Group & Speer Dream Foundation 38:56

11M ago38:56

38:56

In this episode of the SPX, Joe Hamilton interviews Lisa Speer Vickers, daughter of the prolific entrepreneur Roy Speer. Lisa recounts her upbringing in a household driven by her father's diverse business ventures, which ranged from a utility company and real estate to oil and financial institutions. She shares her early memories of her father's en…

1
Holding Social Media Accountable for the Harm They Cause Kids 17:42

11M ago17:42

17:42

Social media can be a dangerous place for kids, but the Dolman Law Group is employing a novel strategy to make tech giants accountable for the harm they cause. Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe explain that the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to revive a case against SnapChat shows why the fight against social media needs a new tactic. In that case, the cou…

1
Valsartan and Suboxone Litigation Update: Who Has a Claim, and What are the Injuries? 41:32

11M ago41:32

41:32

Manufacturers of Suboxone and generic Valsartan face class action lawsuits because the drugs have been linked to tooth rot and cancer. But how do you know if you might have a claim against them? In this episode of David v. Goliath, hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe are joined by renowned mass tort attorney Brett Vaughn to discuss the latest in litiga…

1
STD from Car Sex: Should GEICO Have to Pay? 27:15

11M ago27:15

27:15

If you have sex in a car and end up with cervical cancer from the HPV you contracted during the act, should your claim be covered by the auto policy? It may be a “weird” question, but it is one that’s being deliberated in the courts, the tabloids, and now on this podcast. In this episode of David v. Goliath, Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe discuss the ca…

1
Ep. 100: Neil Brown - Poynter Institute 40:53

12M ago40:53

40:53

On this special 100th episode of SPx, Neil Brown, President of the Poynter Institute, joins Joe for an in depth conversation about the current state of journalism. Brown believes that journalism is thriving despite challenges and highlights the need to move away from a negative narrative. They discuss objectivity in journalism, the impact of the in…

1
Creating a Happy Home For Your New Dog With Brandi Burket of Pets Enrichment And Training Solutions 26:09

12M ago26:09

26:09

Send us a text Are you ready for a smooth and successful transition when bringing a new dog into your home? This week on "Let's Bark About it Tampa Bay," We're replaying an early episode with Brandi Burkett from Pets Enrichment and Training Solutions who guides us through the essential steps. From setting up gates and preparing a crate to planning …

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Ep. 99: Eugenie Bondurant - Actor 52:25

12M ago52:25

52:25

In this episode of SPX, host Joe Hamilton chats with the multifaceted actress and teacher Eugenie Bondurant. Known for her roles in films like "Fear of Rain", "The Hunger Games" and her upcoming appearance in "Summer Camp," Bondurant takes us on a journey through her vibrant career. From her unique upbringing in New Orleans to her foray into the wo…

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